This Comprehensive Owner's Guide to the Bouvier des Flandres serves as a complete introduction to multi-talented working dog that hails from Belgium. Written by Dr. Robert Pollet, a highly regarded expert on the Belgian breeds and an international judge, this volume paints a detailed portrait of the Bouvier's history in Europe, showing how this hard-working farm and cow dog developed into the rough and gruff purebred dog we know today. The book continues with a chapter on characteristics, encapsulating all of the virtues of this all-purpose herding and protection dog, offering sound advice about which owners are best suited to the breed.All owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are brimming with detail and illustrated with handsome adults and puppies. In all, there are over 135 photographs in this useful and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help readers better mold and train their independent-minded dogs into the most socialized, well-mannered good canine citizens. The extensive chapter on healthcare written by Dr. Lowell Ackerman provides accurate information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, parasites, infectious diseases, and more. The final chapter on showing the Borzoi will be of great interest to all owners wishing to explore the competitive world of dog sports. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as vaccines, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and more. Fully indexed.
